FEMA Backs Funding for Utah Fire

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Monday night authorized the use of federal funds to help Utah fight the Blue Springs Fire in Washington County, Utah.

When the State of Utah requested federal assistance, the fire was threatening 375 homes in the town of New Harmony, Utah. More than 1,200 people had been evacuated.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided.

Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.